The treaty was signed by Defence Minister Raimundas Karoblis and US Ambassador to Lithuania Anne Hall on January 17. The document will take effect after endorsement in the Lithuanian parliament.
“In the president’s words, it is a document of utmost importance to state security. It defines the legal status of US troops and the jurisdiction of equipment in Lithuania. (…) The head of the state says that the joint Lithuania-US agreement will facilitate the implementation of deterrence measures by Allied troops and help consolidate the defense of NATO’s eastern flank,” reads the press release.
Under the Lithuania-US agreement, US will have the right to try its troops for offenses, with the exception for Lithuania to take over the jurisdiction in cases of major importance. The agreement also envisages a right for the US to use certain military objects, which remain the property of Lithuania.
Since 2014, the US has been stationing a company of troops in Lithuania. A battalion from the brigade to be deployed in Poland later this year will come to Lithuania on a regular basis for training.
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